Books About First Crushes

The Best First Crushes Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about first crushes? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

#1 in Series

Series

Graphic Nov.

The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks

#2 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About First Crushes

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 2000

The Princess Diaries

By Meg Cabot · Book #1 in the The Princess Diaries series

A teen discovers she's a princess while navigating high school chaos.

320 pages· 59,418 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 265,284 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Mia Thermopolis's life flips upside down when she learns her father is a prince, making her the heir to Genovia's throne. As she grapples with royal duties, her mom's dating her Algebra teacher, and she still lacks a date for the dance. Can Mia balance her new identity with the trials of high school? Dive into a world where royal surprises meet teenage dilemmas.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

The Deepest Breath

By Meg Grehan

A girl who needs answers to everything meets the one feeling she can't explain.

192 pages· 14,072 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 1,867 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Eleven-year-old Stevie loves knowing things: about the ocean and what lives in it, the stars, how phones work. Knowing makes her feel safe and in control, and with her mom's help she is learning to manage her anxiety. But there is one thing she can't figure out and isn't ready to talk about: the fizzy feeling she gets when she looks at her friend Chloe. A novel in verse about anxiety, identity and connection.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

Final Face-off

By Lee Knox Ostertag, Xanthe Bouma (Illustrator) · Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Club series

Imaginary friend gone, Tyler faces school gossip and self-discovery.

208 pages· 6,206 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.5 Goodreads · 665 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Tyler's imaginary friend, Sunny, becomes his D&D alter ego, guiding him through school challenges. But when Sunny pushes him to confess his crush, chaos ensues. Now, Tyler must navigate the fallout and find his true self without Sunny's help. Can he reconcile fantasy with reality and embrace who he truly is?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011

Home for the Holidays

By Heather Vogel Frederick · Book #5 in the The Mother-Daughter Book Club series

Holiday plans unravel as friends face unexpected challenges. Can they find their festive spirit?

352 pages· 83,488 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 5,551 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a whirlwind of holiday chaos, five friends from a mother-daughter book club face unexpected challenges. Megan and Becca's cruise turns competitive over a charming captain's son, while Cassidy's family trip to California stirs homesickness. Emma and Jess's sledding accident derails their plans. As blizzards and squabbles threaten their festive cheer, will they rediscover the magic of the season before New Year's Eve?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Force Out

Best friends become rivals when only one can join the all-star baseball team. What will Joey risk to win?

304 pages· 56,442 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 648 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Joey and Zach, inseparable friends and top baseball talents, face a dilemma when only one spot remains on the Center State select team. A secret plan to help Zach could backfire, turning friendship into rivalry. Joey must choose: play fair or use their secret to edge Zach out. As the stakes rise, how far will Joey go to secure his dream? In this gripping tale of competition and loyalty, the true cost of winning is revealed.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2024

Bye Forever, I Guess

By Jodi Meadows

A gamer girl navigates friendship and identity after a mysterious text from a classmate.

288 pages· 52,918 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 2,502 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Ingrid leads a double life: a charity case at school, a gaming star online. When she stands up to her friend Rachel, her world crumbles—until a wrong-number text from a mystery boy changes everything. As 'Stitches,' she bonds with 'Traveler,' but suspects he might be a popular classmate. Can Ingrid risk opening up to someone who might not be who she thinks? Is real friendship just a fantasy? Dive into a tale of middle-school drama, gaming, and the quest for genuine connection.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks

By Katie Kirby · Book #2 in the Lottie Brooks series

Can Lottie keep her friendships intact while starring in the school musical?

464 pages· 46,643 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.5 Goodreads · 3,887 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Lottie Brooks returns to Kingswood High, determined to leave behind her embarrassing past. With a lead role in the spring musical, she hopes to impress her crush, Daniel. But as she navigates the spotlight, her friendships with Molly and Jess start to unravel. Can Lottie balance her dreams and friendships, or is she headed for another epic fail? Dive into Lottie's world of drama, laughter, and the quest for true friendship.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Summer of Brave

By Amy Noelle Parks

A truth dare threatens to unravel Lilla's carefully balanced life.

240 pages· 47,201 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 447 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Lilla Baxter-Willoughby faces a daring challenge: tell the truth during her Summer of Brave. As she navigates academic pressure, her parents' divorce, and the #MeToo movement, Lilla fears that honesty might topple her world. But could revealing her true desires be exactly what she needs? Dive into a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and courage, where the stakes are as high as Lilla's dreams. Will she find the bravery to speak her truth, or will silence keep her safe?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Shake It Off

By Suzanne Nelson · Book #8 in the Wish series

Can Bria's milkshakes save the farm and help her fit in?

272 pages· 45,560 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 754 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Bria Muller dreads her summer on a dairy farm, far from her city life. Her only solace is crafting extravagant milkshakes, but her creations aren't winning over the locals. With the farm's future at risk, Bria's shakes might be the key to saving it. As she navigates family dynamics and a budding friendship with Gabe, her cousins' charming friend, Bria must discover if her sweet concoctions can bridge the gap between city and country life. Will she find her place and help save the farm before it's too late?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2008

Step Fourth, Mallory!

By Laurie Friedman, Jennifer Kalis (Illustrator) · Book #10 in the Mallory McDonald series

Mallory's perfect school year unravels with a crush and a teacher clash.

176 pages· 17,637 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 257 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Mallory's fourth-grade year starts with promise: new shoes, a new computer, and her best friend Mary Ann in her class. But when both girls fall for the same boy, Mallory feels sidelined. To make matters worse, she clashes with her teacher, Mr. Knight. Can Mallory navigate friendship and school challenges to find her footing again?

Ages 7–10Junior Chapter Book Club